Top Things to do in Whidbey Island
Top Hotels in Whidbey Island
- 1. Captain Whidbey Inn (Since 1907)
- 2. Best Western Plus Oak Harbor Hotel & Conference Center
- 3. Saratoga Inn
- 4. Wildwood Farm Bed and Breakfast
- 5. The Coachman Inn & Suites
- 6. Captain Whidbey Inn (Since 1907)
- 7. Best Western Plus Oak Harbor Hotel & Conference Center
- 8. Auld Holland Inn
- 9. Candlewood Suites Oak Harbor, an IHG Hotel
- 10. Acorn Motor Inn
Top 10 Things to do in Whidbey Island, Whidbey Island
Discover the best top things to do in Whidbey Island, United States including Whidbey Island Distillery, Deception Pass State Park, Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Whidbey Island Vineyards and Winery, Fort Casey State Park, Spoiled Dog Winery, Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum, Fort Ebey State Park, Earth Sanctuary, South Whidbey Island State Park.
Restaurants in Whidbey Island
1. Whidbey Island Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 190 reviews
Whidbey Island Distillery is a family owned business run by three generations of the Heising family. We set out in 2009 to make distilled spirits on Washington's own Whidbey Island, and in September 2011 we sold the first bottle of our Loganberry Liqueur. Bev and Steve Heising bought 9 acres of beautiful Whidbey Island hillside in 2009. They renovated existing buildings to include a distillery building (the Bunker), a residence (the Bunk House), a tasting room, and other multi-use buildings on the property. Since then the Whidbey Island Distillery has become a recognized producer of some of finest spirits in the world. Among numerous awards, our Blackberry Liqueur holds a 98 rating by the Beverage Testing Institute making it the highest rated spirit (of any kind) produced in North America.
Reviewed By TravelTalk2 - Seattle, United States
This small distillery is just a little way off of 525 and so worth the stop. Their tasting (one rye whiskey and four berry liqueurs) is free and our guide, Mike, was very informative and helpful. We like a good rye and this one has a nice honey/citrus front to it so we bought a bottle and also got the loganberry liqueur which has a good complex flavor. Check out their website for some fun recipes.
2. Deception Pass State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,381 reviews
This isn't a lie: with over 30 miles of hiking trails, this park is one of the premier hiking destinations in the country.
Reviewed By U6309DAmelissad - Arlington, United States
There are so many fantastic places to check out at this park...(As of April 2020 it is now closed due to COVID-19 but hope it opens soon!) The scenic beauty of this park is immense and varied. As I've strolled beside Cranberry lake in the early morning or at dusk I've seen beaver, otter, osprey and eagles, mergansers, gorgeous swans and snow geese, red breasted nuthatch, pileated woodpeckers, and so many other birds. When visiting West Beach there is nothing like the 'sea' of pink sea blush flowers that carpet the ground beside the dunes and the cries of oystercatchers (birds) that nest at Rosario flying by or red loons flying by the hundreds just over the water.. There is a handicapped accessible trail that is somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile in distance at the dunes where you can see long hanging lichen that look like tinsel waving in the trees, along with magnificent Pacific Madrone trees, yew trees and crab apple trees. There is a marvelous "overlook' of the bog and lake in the middle of this unique micro-forest that is well worth the extra few steps to get there.as well as an ancient twisted Douglas Fir on the short, flat but a little bumpy with roots dunes trail. If you choose 'Bowman Bay to explore there are kayak rentals during Summer and a pier where a lot of folks do crabbing. There is a boat launch there as well as other sites. IF you head South from the boat launch you take a lovely 'up and down' trail to Lighthouse Island. On the side facing Deception Pass waters there is a unique habitat of a 'rocky bald' area filled with native wildflowers. On the way you'll cross a tombolo which is a sandy isthmus that connects the mainland with the island. There are unique plant communities there. .This is where you can see 'wild carrot' and 'silverweed' whose roots were a food of the Native peoples before there were 'grocery stores! Rosario beach area is the site of an ancient Samish Village site (occupied by First Peoples for over 10k years) Is a peaceful, lovely place where the small, beautiful flat pebbles make a lovely sound as the tide comes in an out..This is a perfect place for barbecues, weddings, and there is a wide open grass field and shelter for special events. The tidepools there host some great diverse creatures from sea stars to sea anemones, small crabs, different kinds of little fish, barnacles and seaweeds. This is a delicate ecosystem so please read the signs and tread with care and go during the low tide to see the most interesting creatures! Take only pictures and leave with only happy memories! Throughout this park there are these gorgeous, rustic, hand-built stone shelters complete with wood fired stoves made by the Conservation Corps in the 1920s that are buildings and works of art! At Christmas time they put on a Holiday gathering with a roaring fire and invite "Santa and Mrs' Claus" for the kids..The whole family or if it is just yourself are welcome to come, join in the live music, & enjoy hot cocoa and cookies! Then there is the old growth forest at Hoypus Point, where a lot of folks fish from and boat launch, This forest is a avorite place for us mushroomers! Pass Lake is fantastic for just pulling over while you're on a drive as it is right off Hiway 30.. A lot of folks go there for fishing...I like swimming there but not too many people do as it is colder than ..Cranberry Lake that has swimming and picnicking and small boat rentals in the summer! Goose Rock is a steep treck uphill for about 600-800 feet but well worth the view...sepctacular! It is like being up in an airplane and on a clear day you can see the Olympics, a wide swath of the Salish Sea and Cranberry Lake in it's entirety. This too is a lovely place to be 'on top of the world' like an eagle looking down on everything. There are trails from here that lead either to Cornet Bay Learning Center or to the bridge in a trail called the "perimeter' trail that is also lovely Finally, even if you just 'drive through' if you are a passenger you'll get an 'amazing' view from the bridge as you pass by...fantastic sunsets and sunrises. These are but a few of the treasurer of this amazing park...I'm so happy to live only 15 minutes away and I go there every chance I can...it is the BEST place in the world!
3. Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
Reviewed By CascadiaPNW - Bellevue, United States
Great views and easy hike but not for anyone with fear of heights, that's for sure! The trail along the cliff-side is just a few feet wide and a fall would be quite fatal. Makes you feel like you're on an adventure! Lots of photo spots. In the end, you get to descend and walk along the sea between the driftwood and Admiralty Inlet and feel great that you made it! We parked near the cemetery and walked by Ebey's historic home and the block house. The sweeping views along this path of the farmland were lovely. It adds a bit more than a mile to the hike. Hike is a bit over 5 miles total and took over 4 hours with lots of photo stops.
4. Whidbey Island Vineyards and Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Whidbey Island Vineyards and Winery offers a quaint tasting room, and a selection of wines made from estate and Eastern Washington grapes.
5. Fort Casey State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 545 reviews
Reviewed By Aolisi - Coupeville, United States
Fort Casey is a great place for a family outing. There are picnic tables, large fields for frisbee or flying kites, beaches to walk on, and of course the old fort with lots of twisty passages to explore.
6. Spoiled Dog Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Extraordinary Pinot Noir from the heart of Puget Sound. Enjoy our fine wines including estate-grown and award-winning varieties at our vineyard and winery. We're located off SR 525 on Maxwelton, a short drive from the Clinton Ferry on Whidbey Island. Dogs are welcome in our outdoor seating area only.
Reviewed By siloamjim - Harrison, United States
We’ve been stopping here each summer for several years. The setting is simply beautiful. We’ve visited wineries in several states, including Sonoma and Napa counties and Santa Ynez in California, but haven’t seen a better nature setting. The wine is good (try the Rosé and their estate Pinot Noir), and they’ve done a nice job adjusting to the pandemic with a cute service window in their tasting barn and outdoor seating. Driving through the towering pine/fir trees into this farm and vineyard is always a treat.
7. Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum (formerly the PBY-Naval Air Msueum) presents the history of Naval aircraft based at NAS Whidbey Island and other Air Stations throughout the Pacific Northwest from WWI through the present. Exhibits include an actual PBY-5A aircraft, many interactive exhibits including flight simulators that are favorites of kids, young and old.
Reviewed By Q3339EAdanielr
The museum was awesome, great information about the history of the PBY Catalina and the workers there knew even more. They answered the questions I had very well and were extremely friendly. I would definitely go again and I would donate again as I heard they are trying to move into a bigger space so they can display even more of what they have. The workers there even stayed late to show us the plane on the other side as we had come about 45 minutes before closing. Amazing museum. Highly recommended.
8. Fort Ebey State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By U6309DAmelissad - Arlington, United States
I highly recommend you walk along the bluff trail at Fort Ebey...The vistas are AMAZING and magnificent! You can drive to your right and head to the beach at ground level or drive to your left up the hill to the old 'fort' which is eerie cool. There USED to be graffiti and bats in these old underground bunkers until it got painted over...the acoustics are marvelous for anyone that is musically included, try singing something or bring an instrument and you will be delighted. There are people doing windsurfing and launching from the clifftops with parachutes over the water..It is also a very romantic place to celebrate with wine, cheese and rackers overlooking the water..to celebrate a birthday or special event..I've done that and WOW for those spectacular views and ambiance..
9. Earth Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Earth Sanctuary is a peaceful and magical sculpture garden, nature reserve, and retreat center with two miles of nature trails, three bird-filled ponds, and a variety of powerful sacred spaces. We invite you to experience the labyrinth, two stone circles, two Medicine Wheels, Buddhist Stupa, Ley Line sculpture, prayer wheels, artworks, and a habitat ideal for observing birds and wildlife. Open every day of the year during daylight hours. $7/person admittance fee payable by cash, check, PayPal or Venmo. No dogs please.
Reviewed By k7688
I came to Earth Sanctuary seeking solitary reflection and communion with nature and really enjoyed my visit. I appreciated the beautiful nature and incredible sacred sites (the stone circles, infinity tower, and medicine wheels were very special). It was also inspiring to learn about Chuck's vision to restore the land to old growth forest. Thank you to all who have contributed to this special place.
10. South Whidbey Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Cloakofstars - McKinney, United States
We explored the Wilbert and Fern Gully trail on our first visit here (after a morning at Deception Pass). We absolutely fell in love with the trails. We were first greeted by a group of young bald eagles circling overhead and the ancient cedar. As we walked the trail we discovered huge mushrooms, weird plants called ‘skunk cabbage’, slugs and fresh water streams running along and underneath the forest floor. We found the whole walk very magical and enjoyable. We came back the next day to do the ridge loop and ran into a local who helps keep the trails walkable. He was very nice and knowledgeable. He mentioned the access to the beach was closed because mother nature continues to destroy the stairs every time they fix it. He also mentioned that some of the trees in the campground area have a disease which causes them to erode from the inside and can create a falling hazard for campers. So sadly it is closed but I am very happy that this little trail is still being maintained so that visitors like us can enjoy it’s beauty.
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